44 Mag Me

USMC586

USMC586

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I recently grabbed a Blued 4" Model 29 Classic and want to start reloading for it. I already reload for a ton of calibers but I am a 44 Mag virgin. I have a Hornady LNL Progressive and a Rock Chucker. I have lots of powder and primers on hand but no bullets.
I will primarily load target rounds for now so I was looking for your favorite bullet weight and style. I'm guessing lead might be a favorite but clean up can be a pain, so if you folks could suggest both lead and Jacketed bullets it would be deeply appreciated.

Hell if you want to list your favorite load as well go for it!

Thanks!
 
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Im a newbie at the 44 Mag game also. Loaded lots of other things but not the 44. ( Recently purchased a 4" 629 here)

As far as bullets goes...I purchased some from this place...
dardas cast bullets: Semi-Wadcutter
because they were one of the few places that didnt require me to buy 1000 at a time ( I figured just what I need...a thousand of the WRONG bullets!!)

Many locations on the internet with reloading info....even the online versions of powder companys printed sheets.

I also always get a copy of Loadbooks USA reloading manual...
MidwayUSA - The page you were looking for could not be found...

which are dirt cheap and have info on ONLY the ONE caliber you are dealing with. I dont need a $35 bound book telling me what to do with a 458 Winchester or a 220 Swift when Im loading a 357 Mag.....if you get my drift
 
I think you will find a lot of folks like the 240 gr LSWC for target and general use. Unique powder is also a favorite.

What powder do you have?

I use more HP38, Win Auto Comp for target loads. For the full magnums I like 2400 over H110 as the 2400 can be downloaded more than H110

Lead bullets are not a pain if you get the right size and contrary to what others are saying the correct hardness. I still believe pushing a real soft bullet at Mag velocities will increase leading but that's a whole other discussion.;)
 
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IMHO.....Nosler makes the best low cost jacketed JHP/JSPs in 240 gr for the .44 mag. They also shoot as accurately as any bullet outta my 629s and carbines. Montana Gold makes a good 240 Jacketed also. Of course all the Hornady and Speer offerings are top notch, but are a tad pricey for me for just paper. I prefer H110/W296 under all of them, but I shoot mostly legitimate magnum loads. For my plinker loads I like Unique.
 
You might be suprised how little a hard cast SWC in the .44 will lead the barrel. I like Unique and 2400 also, but then I'm a simple man. If it was good enough for Elmer......
 
Semper Fi, USMC!

Welcome to the wonderful world of 44Mag! Of course you will want to take the time to go through those loads that made "The Mag" a famous cartridge, right? Of course you do!

Elmer's 250gr LSWC is THE bullet for the 44Mag. They can be purchased from several places but are getting harder and harder for cast bullet purchaser's to find. That is ONE of the reasons I cast. I cast an Elmer Keith bullet from a Miha clone mould. That bullet over a maximum suggested load of 2400 is hard to beat. Just make sure you work up from a 10% reduced minimum first! ;)

I have shot some 200gr LRNFP bullets out of my M629 Classic 5" barrel. Mostly for competition and loaded to 44spl levels. That is one thing you are going to find out too about the 44Mag. From mild to WILD in one handgun.

Now, I don't shoot anything but lead from my revolver. I save the jacketed for the rifle. I have a Marlin 1894 (a couple of them that I load for in fact) that uses a maximum charge of either H110/W296 (same exact powder) or Lil' Gun under a Hornady 240gr XTP. From those 20" barrels I am getting right at 1850fps, depending.

I did run some of the H110/W296 loads through the handgun once just to see what they were doing. 1400fps or there abouts from that 5" barrel.

I have a few sitting here if you would like to try them. You would need to pay shipping. My luber/sizer is down right now, waiting on a new Star to show up. I may have some in the "cans" right now that I could send. PM me with your address if you are interested. Don't post it here! ;)

A picture:
Hg503.jpg



Recovered from a deer a friend of mine shot with a 240gr JSPHP that I loaded for him:

Bulletbase1.jpg


Let me know.
 
Thanks for all the assistance.
I have a few load books Sierra, Speer, Hornady, and Hodgdon.
There are tons of load options and I know each gun is as finicky as we are. Just looking for a decent start.

As far as powders on hand go, 2400, True Blue, AA No5, WSF, WST,231, Universal Clays, Tite Group, Unique, and Trail Boss.

I have been happy with Montana Gold's jacketed bullets (damn accurate) and very satisfied with Missouri's lead fodder. Are these manufactures good to stick with or are there some others worth trying?
I was looking at some lead rounds from Dardas but have never heard of them. Anyone shoot those puppies?
There is a Fun show this weekend so I am going to see what is on the tables while I am there.

Semper Fi to you as well Smith Crazy.
I might take you up on your offer. I am always open to shoot something new!
 
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I like 7.0 grains of Unique and a 240 gr cast swc for general plinking. I notice very little leading.
 
USMC586 said:
Thanks for all the assistance.
I have a few load books Sierra, Speer, Hornady, and Hodgdon.
There are tons of load options and I know each gun is as finicky as we are. Just looking for a decent start.

As far as powders on hand go, 2400, True Blue, AA No7, AA No9, WSF, WST,231, Universal Clays, Tite Group, Unique, and Trail Boss.

I have been happy with Montana Gold's jacketed bullets (damn accurate) and very satisfied with Missouri's lead fodder. Are these manufactures good to stick with or are there some others worth trying?
I was looking at some lead rounds from Dardas but have never heard of them. Anyone shoot those puppies?
There is a Fun show this weekend so I am going to see what is on the tables while I am there.

Semper Fi to you as well Smith Crazy.
I might take you up on your offer. I am always open to shoot something new!
Click to expand...


I use nothing but Missouri Bullets for lead in all calibers. Great company, prices and super fast delivery. They make different hardness (BHN) depending on how fast you are planning to shoot them.

I can also vouch for Skips (Smith Crazy's) bullets. He makes some fine ones and the homemade lube on them tastes so good. Yum!;):D
 
try RCBS250k's on top of 9gr unique for 950 out of 4" guns and 1050 from 8.325 guns.try 2400, 18.5grs will go 1200 from most 6" guns.the 44 is a very use full caliber it is in fact my favorite hope this helps
 
Question. As I am new to the 44 I see some lead bullet companies list different diameter bullets. Such as .430", .431", and .432. I just took out my Vernier and measured .423 at the muzzle end at the grooves. Should I be measuring at the forcing cone?

I might sound foolish but please advise.
 
Since the Smith is 5 grooved, there is absolutely no way to measure the bore like that. You have to slug it and still, it can be a chore to get a good reading.

What you need to do is measure the cylinder throats first. Your calipers aren't going to get that done either because they have "width" at the measuring points. In a circle, they will provide a cord and not allow you to get to the true diameter.

Gage pins from an industrial supply place like MSC are the best thing to use. I just use bullets. I really don't care what size they are, I just want them to be smaller than my bullet. Since, 99.999999999999999999999% of what I shoot through mine are the bullets I posted pictures of, as long as I am bigger than the throats, I am good to go.

Since I follow good reloading practices, such as working up my loads, even if my bullets are too big and cause more pressure than a smaller bullet, I am going to see some signs of that pressure, hopefully, before it becomes an issue.

Best thing to do is try to drop a bullet through the throats. If you can do that, start low and work up. It may be that your bullet is long enough to hit the forcing cone, slug up (obturate) and seal in the throats just fine. Of course, you will never know that unless you look real fast! :)

It will show up in how well your gun does in shooting lead without leaving a bunch behind.

Please don't do what a lot of folks do either. Shoot lead and jacketed right behind it without cleaning it. It simply irons the softer metal into the pores of the barrel and will ruin accuracy.

FWIW and I hope this helps.
 
I love this place. Thanks to all and Smith Crazy for your help.

+1 for working loads up to a safe level. I shoot DCM matches and have spent alot of time keeping track of psi signs on my loads. I save all my brass and check them after every match. I keep my right nostril on my charging handle and the last thing I want is my AR blowing up in my face.

Back to the revolver...I have hole and telescoping gauges and will check the cylinder throats with them. Is it being anal to be so exact? If so I'm alright with that, I love squeezing out as much accuracy as you possible can! It is half the fun of reloading.
 
Checked my cylinder and found all holes were .429 one or two .4295 so would I order lead bullets in the .430 or the .429's?

I hit the fun show and there were no 44 lead bullets to be found, NONE. I bought the only bag of 44 mag brass on the floor. Some is better than none I guess. As far as jacketed fodder the only offering was Hornady 240 XTP's so of course I grabbed em up.

Smith Crazy (what a gentleman)I sent you a PM on your offer and it sounds good. I just caught the part where you said to move. I would pull pole and move if momma would agree. Almost there. Kind of tough to pull the chitins' away from the grand folks too. Sometimes I can't stand this restrictive state.
 
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Ive had excellent results with 9 gns Universal Clays behind 220-250 cast. Burns cleaner than Unique and I get 1 inch groups at 25 yds. Also try 10 gn of Universal behind 200-210 jacketed bullets for the same results.
 
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I have been loading for the 44 Mag since @1965.

I would start with a 240gr cast SWC and 7.5gr of Unique.

Try some at 8.5 and 9.5gr of Unique. I consider 10gr of Unique about max.

If I need more power than this I go to 2400.

Start with 19 gr of 2400 and work up.

IF I could have only one revolver it would be a 4" S&W 44 Mag...
 
I am rather new to the 44 magnum myself but here is what I have found to work pretty good so far....

18.0 to 20.0 grains of 2400 behind a 240 grain LSWC with a gascheck.

Get yourself a 6 cavity mold and a melting pot from Lee for the 240 SWC gaschecked bullet and cast your own. If not you will go broke because once you get a good load and dial in the gun you will want to shoot it alot.
 
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